9/26/2007 BACKGROUND 2005 Letter from the Corporation's Inspector General Varying State requirements Disparity in availability of criminal history checks Congressional interest The 2006 Attorney Generals Report The National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR)

9/26/2007 October Request for Public Input October Proposed Rule August Final Rule RULEMAKING PROCEDURES

9/26/2007 THE FINAL RULE * Who is Covered? oSenior Companions and Foster Grandparents oAmeriCorps State/National (including Education Award Program) participants who, on a recurring basis, have access to children, persons age 60 and older, or individuals with disabilities oGrant-funded staff in those programs with such access

9/26/2007 PROCESS Two required searches 1. State Criminal Registry Check 2. National Sex Offender Public Registry Check When Check is Required 1. State Criminal Registry Check – prospective National Sex Offender Public Registry - ( ) – current and prospective

9/26/2007 HOW OFTEN? SCP & FGP – Once, for anyone applying to your program after the effective date of the final rule AmeriCorps S/N – Once, for each term of service (no additional check required for consecutive terms in the same program)

9/26/2007 REQUIRED PROCEDURES Verify applicants identity Obtain applicants written authorization to conduct State criminal registry checks and to share the results within the program Participation contingent upon criminal history review Opportunity to challenge results Confidentiality of results

9/26/2007 REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION Written verification of applicants identity Results of the criminal history checks must be maintained, unless prohibited by State law Written documentation that the grantee conducted the required checks and considered the results in selecting or retaining the individual

9/26/2007 DISQUALIFICATION An individual who is subject to a State sex- offender registration requirement may not serve in a covered position [Preamble contains language indicating the Corporations intent to undertake future rulemaking concerning disqualifying offenses]

9/26/2007 ALTERNATIVE SEARCH PROCEDURES Good cause exception, or substantially equivalent or better information through an alternative process Corporation must approve in writing A grantee using an alternative process must still conduct an NSOPR check

9/26/2007 OTHER DISQUALIFICATION CRITERIA Grantees are not precluded by this rule from establishing other disqualification criteria (e.g. violent offenses) Consideration of arrest information There are many factors to consider when determining an individuals suitability

9/26/2007 USE OF INTERMEDIARIES Grantee may use an intermediary to ascertain and assess an individuals criminal history or sex offender status Grantee remains responsible for compliance

9/26/2007 APPLICANT SELECTION A grantee must conduct an NSOPR check before the individual begins to serve No unsupervised access to vulnerable populations while State criminal registry results are pending

9/26/2007 COSTS Reasonable and necessary grant expense Generally, may not charge individual applicants Failure to comply May adversely affect grant funding May result in disallowed costs related to disqualified individual

9/26/2007 ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS Personal interview References Past employment or service Driving records Child Abuse Registry Elder Abuse Registry

9/26/2007 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory – Current T&TA Provider Training National Conference Cluster Conferences Resource Center – _pubs/program_management/staff_screening.php

9/26/2007 QUESTIONS? Open for questions